Melanie Stansbury

Last updated

Melanie Stansbury's voice
Melanie Stansbury speaks on the benefits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Recorded January 20, 2022
Melanie Stansbury
Melanie Stansbury 117th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from New Mexico's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 14, 2021

Melanie Ann Stansbury (born January 31, 1979) [1] [2] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from New Mexico's 1st congressional district since 2021. [3] The district includes most of Albuquerque and most of its suburbs. A Democrat, Stansbury was formerly a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 28th district. [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Stansbury was born in Farmington, New Mexico, and raised in Albuquerque. [5] After graduating from Cibola High School in 1997, [6] she earned a Bachelor of Arts in human ecology and natural science from Saint Mary's College of California in 2002. [7] [8] She then earned a Master of Science in development sociology with a minor in American Indian studies from Cornell University in 2007, [9] [7] where she was a PhD candidate. [10] [11]

Early career

Stansbury began her career as an ecology instructor at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. As a White House Fellow, she worked as a policy advisor on the Council on Environmental Quality. She was a consultant at Sandia National Laboratories and later served as a program examiner in the Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration. She worked on the staff of the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and as an aide to Senator Maria Cantwell. [12] Since 2017, she has worked as a consultant and senior advisor at the Utton Transboundary Resources Center of the University of New Mexico. [9]

New Mexico House of Representatives

Stansbury and U.S. Representative Deb Haaland speak about the Green New Deal in 2019.

Stansbury ran unopposed in the 2018 Democratic primary for the 28th district of the New Mexico House of Representatives. In the general election, she defeated Republican incumbent Jimmie C. Hall, who had held the seat for seven terms. [13] [14]

Stansbury was again unopposed in the 2020 primary. She defeated Republican Thomas R. Stull and Libertarian Robert Vaillancourt in the general election. [13]

In the House, Stansbury introduced legislation to improve the state's energy conservation and water resource management. [15] [16] She served as the vice chair of the Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee. [17]

Upon Stansbury's resignation from the state legislature, the Bernalillo County Commission appointed Pamelya Herndon as her replacement. [18]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2021 special

After Joe Biden announced Deb Haaland as his nominee for United States Secretary of the Interior, Stansbury announced her campaign for the special election to fill the seat. [19] In the first round of voting by the state Democratic committee, Stansbury placed second after State Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and automatically advanced to the runoff. [20] [21] In the second round of voting, she defeated Sedillo Lopez by six votes. [22] As no Republican had represented the district since 2009, The Santa Fe New Mexican labeled her "a heavy favorite". [23]

She defeated State Senator Mark Moores and former Public Lands Commissioner Aubrey Dunn Jr. in the June 1 election in a landslide. [24] Her margin of victory was slightly larger than President Biden's 23-point victory in the district in 2020, and significantly larger than Deb Haaland's in 2020 for the House. [25]

Tenure

On August 12, 2022, she voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. [26]

Stansbury was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House. [27]

During the 117th Congress, Stansbury voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis. [28]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

In a questionnaire created by the Adelante Progressive Caucus, Stansbury pledged support for Medicare for All legislation, a federal assault weapons ban, the D.C. statehood movement, canceling student loan debt, federal marijuana legalization, [9] and several other progressive policies. [30] She was endorsed by abortion rights group Voteprochoice. [31]

Personal life

Stansbury lives in Albuquerque. [9]

Electoral history

YearOffice [32] [33] PartyVotes for Stansbury %OpponentPartyVotes%
2018 New Mexico House of Representatives Green check.svg Democratic7,33553.7 Jimmie C. Hall (inc.)Republican6,32646.3
2020 Green check.svg Democratic8,90852.6Thomas R. Stull [a] Republican7,25242.8
2021 U.S. House of Representatives Green check.svg Democratic79,83760.4 Mark Moores [b] Republican47,11135.6
2022 Green check.svg Democratic156,46255.7Michelle Garcia HolmesRepublican124,15144.2

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Libertarian Robert Vaillancourt received 780 votes (4.6%). [32]
  2. ↑ Independent Aubrey Dunn Jr. received 3,534 votes (2.7%) and Libertarian Chris Manning received 1,734 (1.3%). [34]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Pearce (politician)</span> American businessman and politician (born 1947)

Stevan Edward Pearce is an American businessman and politician who served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party and was his party's unsuccessful nominee in the 2008 U.S senate election and the 2018 gubernatorial election. On December 8, 2018, Pearce was elected Chair of the New Mexico Republican Party, replacing Ryan Cangiolosi. He was re-elected in December 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Mexico's 1st congressional district</span> U.S. House district for New Mexico

New Mexico's 1st congressional district of the United States House of Representatives serves the central area of New Mexico, including most of Bernalillo County, all of Torrance County, and parts of Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Valencia counties. It includes almost three-fourths of Albuquerque. The district has a notable Native American presence, encompassing several pueblos, including the Pueblo of Laguna and Sandia Pueblo, and the Tohajiilee Navajo Reservation outside Albuquerque. The seat is currently represented by Democrat Melanie Stansbury. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+6, it is the most Democratic district in New Mexico, a state with an all-Democratic congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Mexico's congressional districts</span> U.S. House districts in the State of New Mexico

New Mexico is divided into three congressional districts, each represented by a member of the United States House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Heinrich</span> American politician and businessman (born 1971)

Martin Trevor Heinrich is an American businessman and politician serving as the senior United States senator from New Mexico, a seat he has held since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Heinrich served as the U.S. representative from New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2009 to 2013. He and fellow Senator Ben Ray Luján are the co-deans of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Ray Luján</span> American politician (born 1972)

Ben Ray Luján is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021. He served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2021 and as Assistant Speaker from 2019 to 2021. He served as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from 2005 to 2008, where he also served as chairman. He and Senator Martin Heinrich are the co-deans of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Lujan Grisham</span> Governor of New Mexico since 2019

Michelle Lujan Grisham is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2019 as the 32nd governor of New Mexico. A member of the Democratic Party, Lujan Grisham previously served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2013 to 2019.

Georgene Louis is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 26th district from 2013 to 2023.

Patricia A. Roybal Caballero is an American politician serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 13th district. Elected in 2012, she assumed office on January 15, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yvette Herrell</span> American politician (born 1964)

Stella Yvette Herrell is an American politician and realtor who served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2021 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, she served four terms as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 51st district from 2011 to 2019.

Mark David Moores is an American businessman and politician serving as a member of the New Mexico Senate for the 21st district. Elected in November 2012, he took office on January 15, 2013. He was the Republican nominee for the 2021 New Mexico's 1st congressional district special election, which he lost to Democrat Melanie Stansbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the three U.S. representatives from the state of New Mexico, one from each of the state's three congressional districts. The elections coincided with the gubernatorial election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

Aubrey Lyle Dunn Jr. is an American politician and banker from the state of New Mexico. He served as New Mexico commissioner of public lands from 2015 to 2019, and was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2018 election. Elected as a Republican, Dunn switched parties to Libertarian in January 2018, making him the first Libertarian holder of a statewide elected office in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deb Haaland</span> American politician (born 1960)

Debra Anne Haaland is an American politician serving as the 54th United States secretary of the interior. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the US Representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021 and as chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party from 2015 to 2017. Haaland, a Native American, is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe.

Antoinette Sedillo Lopez is an American attorney, politician, and retired professor who is serving as a member of the New Mexico Senate since 2019. She was appointed in January 2019 to succeed Cisco McSorley following his resignation and was re-elected in the 2020 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xochitl Torres Small</span> American attorney & politician (born 1984)

Xochitl Liana Torres Small is an American attorney and politician who is the 15th and current United States deputy secretary of agriculture, acting as "chief operating officer" for the department. She was nominated by President Joe Biden in February 2023, and was confirmed by the senate on July 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the three U.S. representatives from the state of New Mexico, one from each of the state's three congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teresa Leger Fernandez</span> American politician & attorney (born 1959)

Teresa Isabel Leger Fernandez is an American attorney and politician representing New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the three U.S. representatives from the state of New Mexico, one from each of the state's three congressional districts. The elections coincided with the New Mexico gubernatorial election and various state and local elections. The Democratic party gained the 2nd Congressional seat, gaining unitary control of New Mexico's Congressional delegation for the first time since 2018 and improving the advantage in the House delegation for New Mexico from 2–1 in favor of Democrats to 3–0.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 United States House of Representatives elections</span> Special elections to the 117th United States Congress

There were six special elections to the United States House of Representatives in 2021 during the 117th United States Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 New Mexico's 1st congressional district special election</span>

A special election was held on June 1, 2021, to fill the vacancy in New Mexico's 1st congressional district created by Representative Deb Haaland's resignation from the United States House of Representatives to become the Secretary of the Interior in Joe Biden's administration.

References

  1. ↑ Kassel, Matthew (March 16, 2021). "Haaland confirmation sets off mad scramble to claim her seat in Congress". Jewish Insider. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  2. ↑ Stansbury, Melanie [@MelanieforNM] (January 31, 2021). "Join us in wishing Melanie a very happy birthday!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 1, 2021– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ Greenwood, Max (June 1, 2021). "Democrat Stansbury wins special election for Haaland's House seat". The Hill . Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Legislator - New Mexico Legislature". www.nmlegis.gov. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ March, August (September 12, 2018). "News Interview: Setting a Course". Alibi. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  6. ↑ Boetel, Ryan (May 1, 2021). "Hard work, environmental advocacy shaped Stansbury". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Meet Melanie". Melanie for New Mexico. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Notable Alumni". Saint Mary's College of California. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Q&A: House District 28 Candidate Melanie Ann Stansbury". www.abqjournal.com. September 23, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Melanie Stansbury's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  11. ↑ Elliott, Christian (December 11, 2018). "From Development Sociology to the State Legislature – Alumna Melanie Stansbury wins big in New Mexico". Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  12. ↑ Akin, Stephanie (March 31, 2021). "Ex-Senate aide narrowly wins Democratic nod for Haaland seat in New Mexico". Roll Call. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  13. 1 2 "New Mexico House of Representatives District 28". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  14. ↑ Boyd, Dan (October 16, 2018). "House District 28 incumbent faces stiff challenge". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  15. ↑ Clark, Carol A. (February 20, 2019). "Rep. Stansbury Announces Critical Water Legislation". Los Alamos Daily Post. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Gov. Lujan Grisham, Rep. Stansbury announce climate and sustainability legislation bolstering plans laid out in executive order". The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. February 16, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Melanie Ann Stansbury". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Pamelya Herndon appointed to NM House seat vacated by Rep. Melanie Stansbury". KOB 4. June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  19. ↑ Simonich, Milan (January 23, 2021). "An early contender emerges for Haaland's seat". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  20. ↑ "DPNM Announces Runoff in SCC Vote to Determine Democratic Nominee in CD-1". New Mexico Democrats. March 31, 2021.
  21. ↑ Mullan, Dillon (March 31, 2021). "Stansbury, Sedillo Lopez in runoff for Democratic nomination". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  22. ↑ Boetel, Ryan (March 31, 2021). "Stansbury chosen as Democratic nominee for special election". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  23. ↑ Simonich, Milan (April 2, 2021). "What a rally: Inside Stansbury's improbable victory". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Rep. Melanie Stansbury wins Democratic nomination for CD1 seat". KRQE News 13 Albuquerque - Santa Fe. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  25. ↑ Cohen, Ethan; Janfaza, Rachel; Bradner, Eric (June 2, 2021). "Democrat Melanie Stansbury wins New Mexico special election for US House seat, CNN projects". CNN. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  26. ↑ "U.S. House passes Inflation Reduction Act". KOAT. August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  27. ↑ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill . Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  28. ↑ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Pelosi Announces Committee Assignments for Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury". speaker.gov. June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Candidate Response Melanie Stansbury". Adelante Progressive Caucus. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Meet Our 2021 Candidates". #VOTEPROCHOICE. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  32. 1 2 "New Mexico House of Representatives District 28". Ballotpedia . Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  33. ↑ "New Mexico election results". New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  34. ↑ Wilham, T. J. (May 10, 2021). "Stansbury attacked from all sides in special election debate". KOAT-TV Albuquerque. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
New Mexico House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 28th district
2019–2021		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 1st congressional district
2021–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
339th		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.